Sounders, World Cup star Clint Dempsey to release rap album

Soccer fans are buzzing about U.S. men’s soccer team captain Clint Dempsey’s goal against Ghana in the World Cup, which he scored just 32 seconds into the United States’ eventual 2-1 victory on Monday.

When he isn’t scoring goals for the Sounders or the U.S. National Team, Clint Dempsey has a hip-hop career on the side. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

But now, the Seattle Sounders star has people excited for a different reason. Dempsey will be releasing a full-length rap album at the conclusion of the World Cup, titled “The Redux.”

Dempsey, who raps under the nickname “Deuce,” recorded the album with his friend, rapper-producer XO. You can listen to “It’s Poppin,” the first single off of the new album, here. The song includes a reference to Dempsey’s fellow Seattle sports star, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.

It’s probably safe to say the single won’t win any Grammys, but it’s an entertaining listen nonetheless. More importantly, there’s some sentiment behind it, as the album is dedicated to Dempsey’s friend, rapper Big Hawk, who died in 2006, and Dempsey’s sister, Jennifer, who died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 16.

It’s all for a good cause, too — a portion of the proceeds from the album will be donated to the East Texas Food Bank. Dempsey is a native of Nacogdoches, Texas.

Fans may already be familiar with Dempsey’s hip-hop career following the release of his song “Don’t Tread” in 2006. The song became somewhat of a theme song during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Dempsey scored the only goal for the United States. It was also played during the ceremony last season when Dempsey was introduced as a Sounder. Check out the video for “Don’t Tread” below.